Prepping the Perfect Picnic in Berkeley County

Picnic Provisions in Berkeley County
Berkeley County’s Best Picnic Picks

The Great American Picnic is a timeless way to take advantage of this country’s vast and beautiful natural spaces—and its incredible food. After a year cooped up indoors eating takeout on the couch, now’s the perfect time to break bread in Berkeley County’s great green public places. Grab your friends, your best big blanket, and get ready to make your big reunion with the world. 

Food for Your Basket

The perfect picnic begins with the perfect lunch. Pick up a meal to-go from any of these amazing Berkeley County restaurants to get things started right.

The Barony House

Nobody wants a boring sandwich in their picnic basket. At The Barony House, go big with a triple-decker club. Or, grab one of the sumptuous daily lunch specials featuring the best of traditional Lowcountry cooking, like a chicken bog and country fried steak—perfect for a comfort-food picnic.

Music Man Bar-B-Que

Music Man Bar-B-Que is famed for their “Rock & Roll Buffet,” featuring the finest BBQ in the Lowcountry. The good news is you can take the buffet to go! Your choice of two meats, two sides, dessert, and a drink—whether you go vinegar-pepper or mustard pork, chicken or ribs, mac & cheese or green beans, this meal is sure to satisfy.

Taco Boy

Bring a little sun and fun to your picnic with the bright flavors of the Southwest. Taco Boy in Summerville uses fresh and festive ingredients in all their (perfectly portable) quesadillas and tacos. If you plan to work up an appetite, we recommend the La Plancha burrito, packed with green chile sauce, salsa cruda, corn tortilla strips, and your choice of protein. 

Daniel Island Grill

An All-American picnic calls for the comforts of American fare. Neighborhood sports hangout Daniel Island Grill specializes in all the pub grub you want most in-between parkside frisbee games (or from the sidelines). Go classic with a stacked cheeseburger or an order of jumbo wings. 

Where to Spread Your Blanket

Okay, you’ve procured your provisions, and now it’s time to find the ideal location to chow down. Berkeley County’s got you covered and then some.

Cypress Gardens

Moviemakers have been dazzled by the 80 acres of mesmerizing swampland here for years—the famous rowboat scene in The Notebook was filmed on these waters. The picnic shelter in the welcome center is a great spot to launch a day of rowing, hiking, or birdwatching among the cypresses.

Mepkin Abbey

Looking for a little peace and serenity? The gardens at Mepkin Abbey, tucked along the banks of the Cooper River, offer quiet repose and spectacular views. Wander the grounds for your ideal spot, under a shady oak or among the garden sculptures, and take your time to savor your repast.

Old Santee Canal Park

This state park is brimming with natural beauty and deep history. Set up your lunch in one of several picnic shelters, then get ready to explore. Attractions include the Stony Landing House, built in 1843, and the Interpretive Center, which chronicles the area’s extensive history back to 4000 BC. 

Smythe Park

Smythe Park is the largest of Daniel Island’s 400 acres of green space, sporting an 11-acre lake, a fantastical pirate-themed playground for the kids, and several picnic areas. Picnic like a local in this neighborhood favorite hangout.

Venice Park

Located in the city of Hanahan, Venice Park is what you imagine when you hear the word park. Set up under their covered picnic area, then relax on the nearby wooden swing to watch the Cooper River amble by. Furry friends love this park, too—its grassy knolls are ideal for a few rounds of fetch.

Food, Friends, and Sunshine

There’s nothing like a meal taken in the great outdoors with friends and family, and here, you’re spoiled for choice. Make Berkeley County, SC your next gathering place at ExploreBerkeleyCounty.com.